When I Add green screen, it doesn't even appear

Question

When I Add green screen, it doesn't even appear

I have enabled advanced oiptions, I have a downloaded green screen of a helicopter flying, I have video footage of myself in my study. I put the video of me in the timeline, then drag the green screen movie on top, chose green screen. Nothing happens. I get the audio from the green screen movie but no picture on top of the original movie!!!! Please help me. Important for a school project! Thanks!

sogftware: iMac ver. 10.6.8

iMovie '09

All the software is fully updated. I've also tried cropping the green screen and it still doesnt work???

iMovie '11, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Feb 16, 2012 5:00 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Bengt Wärleby

Level 6

19,458 points

Feb 16, 2012 5:20 AM in response to John Humphries

Hi

And the downloaded green-screen helicopter is in the same frame rate and video codec as the back-ground clip ?

If so

• What video codec did You use ?

• frame rate ?

Yours Bengt W

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Answer 2

Feb 16, 2012 6:46 AM in response to Bengt Wärleby

Im sorry. I use imovie 09 but I don't know how to view (or change) clip frame rates??

Also, what is (and how do I find) the video codec.

Regards

John

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Answer 3

Feb 16, 2012 6:52 AM in response to Bengt Wärleby

If codec is (mp4/avi/wmv) then yes, both videos are mp4. also, i think the frame-rate of both clips is 25fps.?

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Answer 4

Feb 16, 2012 7:43 AM in response to John Humphries

Start a new project and drag one clip from Events (to Project/Timeline) and then drop next clip from Event's ontop of it and select Green-Screen. Just to see if it works with other clips.

If it don't - Trash iMovie pref file and re-try

If it does - then I guess that the files used are the problem

Yours Bengt W

(Corrected - see next from AppleMan1958 in next answer.)

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Answer 5

Feb 16, 2012 7:34 AM in response to John Humphries

The background movie needs to be in the time line. You drag the movie with a green background and drop it on top of the background clip.

Good Tutorial here.

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Answer 6

Feb 16, 2012 8:26 AM in response to John Humphries

I've done all the correct procedures. I added the video of me into imovie, then dragged the green screen with the helicopter on top of it, clicked green screen. and it doesnt show!!! My picture in picture still works!

Also, Bengt , how do I trash the imovie pref. file? And yes, just as a test, I dragged a non green screen image onto another non green screen image and I know it worked because the picture went all fuzzy, showing that the green screen option works.

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Answer 7

Feb 16, 2012 9:33 AM in response to John Humphries

Good - That was the test I had in mind.

Then I don't think - trashing iMovie pref. file will help - but in the material used.

• Easiest way to test this by creating a New User-Account and log in to this. If Your material now works then the problem is in one or more of the pref. files.

Yours Bengt W

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Answer 8

Feb 16, 2012 9:48 AM in response to Bengt Wärleby

OK. thanks guys! Bengt, I'll try that later but thanks for your help 🙂

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Answer 9

Feb 17, 2012 7:11 AM in response to John Humphries

No. It doesn't work in anyones user???I've tried different clips?!

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Answer 10

Oct 10, 2012 5:24 PM in response to John Humphries

Hi John,

I'm having the exact same problem.

Advanced options are ON

I first bring in my background movie - then the green screen over the top.

I select the "green screen" option fron the menu

Nothing happens!

Have you worked out what is wrong?

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Answer 11

Oct 11, 2012 3:22 PM in response to John Humphries

Woo Hoo...

I've found a work-around that will solve the problem you are having.

The issue:

The iMove software asumes that you are using a homemade green screen background ie: badly lit with movement and uneven green (or blue) colour. When you use a pre-made green screen backgound like the one of the helicopter (me and) you downloaded the sofware cant detect it because it is too good!

The solution:

1) Import the clip into iMovie, then go to the video inspector, then to the clip tab,

2) Select Video Effect, then select the "Vignette" option (it should leave a fuzzy black border around your clip).

3) Export the adjusted clip (choose the quailty you need).

4) Import the "new" clip then apply it as a green screen to your background footage.

5) You may need to tweek the colour in the video inspector for best results.

I hope this helps

Andrew

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